My First Mix's EVER!

[Drummer4Life05]

Today, I had a friend come over and record about 5 songs. I have since then recorded my drum parts on 2 of them.
Wonderwall by Oaisis and The World I Know by Collective Soul.
Here is a link to my page on ACIDPlanet.com:
http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp...=190592&T=3332

I recorded all the guitar and vocals at the same time with 1 microphone going into my computer's mic input. I recorded my drums using the same mic going into a Sony MZ-R55 MiniDisc recorder, and then recorded that into my computer.
I mixed the files in Sonic Foundry's Acid Pro 4.0.

Please let me know what you think, mainly of just the mix's. They are the first one's I've EVER done, and I'd like some tips! I know some parts are shaky, just comments on the mix please.

Thanks!

[studioviols]

Hi,

Typically, covers don't go down real well around here for many different reasons.

As you are new to the board, this works against you for sure.

Also, you have got to review others first, if you expect to get many reviews of 'newbie covers'.

I encourage you to learn, by reviewing others.

[Drummer4Life05]

Thanks for the heads-up.

[bsanfordnyc]

Originally posted by studioviols
Hi,

Typically, covers don't go down real well around here for many different reasons.

As you are new to the board, this works against you for sure.

Also, you have got to review others first, if you expect to get many reviews of 'newbie covers'.

I encourage you to learn, by reviewing others.

For what reasons do covers "not go down real well" around here?

Ben

[Bulls Hit]

Originally posted by bsanfordnyc
For what reasons do covers "not go down real well" around here?

Ben

I was wondering the same thing. Seen a lot of covers reviewed here.

I listened to the Collective Sould song as I don't know it and I don't like Oasis.

I don't hear any bass. On headphones the vocal sits well in the mix, although they seem to get louder towards the end - you were probably warming up by then haha. There's probably not a lot more you can do with the drums given you used only 1 mic, but the overall level with the guitar is good. As you indicate there's a few things to polish up performance wise between guitar & drums. However given your limited recording resources, I'd say the mix is pretty good

[Blue Bear Sound]

Originally posted by Drummer4Life05
Please let me know what you think, mainly of just the mix's. They are the first one's I've EVER done, and I'd like some tips! I know some parts are shaky, just comments on the mix please.

Well... all I can really say is listen to your version back-to-back with the original - can you hear a difference in the mix balance?

In their mix everything is full and fairly lush-sounding with all instruments placed in a clearly-defined space, while your mix sounds murky, phasey (poor mic placement), and none of the tracks have any sense of space or air around them.

I realize this is your first mix, and to be perfectly honest, this is exactly what someone's first mix WILL sound like, so this isn't a slam. You simply need to learn about good recording and mixing techinque. Hang around on this and other forums and you will learn a lot.

Also picking up a few books on the subject wouldn't hurt.... I have articles and book recommendations at my studio's website if you want to take a look.......

[VOXVENDOR]

Originally posted by bsanfordnyc
For what reasons do covers "not go down real well" around here?

Ben

Yeah, I've never heard anyone say anything about posting covers......

If it's your own site, and your not putting anyone other than yourself at risk of litigation we don't really care here...


Post away dude.

I might have a few covers going up on my site this weekend after my bands gig.

Joe

[Drummer4Life05]

Haha, thanks for the comments guys!
The reason you don't hear any bass is because there isn't any yet! I still hafta get the bass player here to record his tracks.

I guess I'll take BlueBear's advice and poke around here some more.

Thanks!

[Village Idiot]

You are a nice guy, man...

Stick around here.

I'm picking up what you are throwing down.

I am on dial-up..So I will try to get to your tune, ok?



VI

[Drummer4Life05]

Thanks, VI.

I will be sticking around here.

I've added a version of "The World I Know" with the bass track.

[bsanfordnyc]

Like Blue Bear basically said, this is about what someone's first mix sounds like...It reminds me of some of my first stuff: off timing, wrong chords, lo-fi recording, and awful singing,

But hey, it sure is fun, right? As you just found out, being able to play the music well is only the beginning. Mixing/recording is not easy, and not something you can learn overnight.

In earnest, your mixes were very bad. But the bright side is, you're here now. I have been hanging around for a few months and have picked up tons of useful stuff by reading posts from people like Blue Bear and StudioViols.

good luck,

Ben

[Drummer4Life05]

Thanks for the comments Ben!

I don't think I'll be leaving any time soon, I have so much to learn!

You're right, although I know they sound like crap, it's kind of an accomplishment, because it's something I've NEVER EVER done before! And what kind of quality can you expect from a crappy stereo mic going into my SoundBlaster Live card? But it's still cool to hear what my friends and I can put together as a band.

-Justin

[Ledmech]

good tune man. Mix is a little dry sounding, but still sounds good. Don't let people like Studioviols keep you from posting here. Dude gives 3 page reviews that don't make a bit of damn sense. Covers sound fine to me and most other people here i think. Personally I like covers. Gives ya somthing to compare to.

I'm still new here but keep it up man. People have to start somewhere and it sounds like you guys are off to a good one. You came to the right place cause there are alot of good musicians here.

The one thing I noticed is the vocals just don't sound right for Oasis. Try covering another band or some original stuff.

LaTa

[Drummer4Life05]

Thank GOD people like you come around, Ledmech! I was worried they were all like studioviols.
I have the same philosophy as you about covers. It gives us a challenge and while we're at it, we come up with some of our own techniques and riffs and stuff like that.

I actually have 1 original sitting on my computer right now, I just need to add the drums. I'll see if I can get it out by the end of the week.

Thanks for all the comments everyone! GREATLY appreiciated!!